Wheel grinder



H. G. FOSTER Nov. 13, 1951 WHEEL GRINDER 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Filed 'July 2, 1948 Nov. E3, 1951 H. G. FOSTER 2,575,212

WHEEL GRINDER l Filed Juiy 2, 194e v 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 l gnam/vbo@ Patented Nov. 13, 41951 This invention. relates toV improvements/.in wheel grinders, especiallyadapted for -the f resurfacing of locomotive Wheels at the periphery thereof.

In the operation of a locomotive, it .happens frequently that the wheels are locked 'bythe brakes in bringing-the locomotive to a stop which' causes the wheels to slide on the trackvvw-ithout rotation. This results in a flat place o'n the tire due to the wearing down of the circular periphery, which is objectionable because of the thumping action that results from the lope/ration of the engine. It has been the practice? heretofore to weld metal onto this portion of the tire to build it up somewhat higher than the normal periphery ofthe wheel, and then to grind it off by a hand grinder. However, no satisfactory grinder has been provided heretoforeA for the purpose that will insure of accurate resurfacing of the periphery of the wheel. f'

The object of this invention is to improve grinders for this purpose, to enable-these` to be manufactured reasonably inexpensively, andto insure of their accurate operation in-the resurfacing of the wheel to restore the desired contour to the periphery thereof. V

This object may be accomplished according tov one embodiment of the invention by utilizing a power-operated grinding wheel mountedv onfa supporting frame for bodily adjustmenttransversely relative thereto, and supporting and guiding the grinder in a circumferential'direction on the wheel, both on the ange and on the tire adjacent the built-up periphery. Provision is made for adjustment of the parts not only to accommodate wheels of diiierent sizes but also to insure the accurate resurfacing of the wheel to its initial contour. j This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

'z claims. (ci. 51e-,1.795

Fig. l is an end elevation of the grinder shown applied to a car wheel; Fig. 2 is a cross section therethrough;

` Fig. 3 is a similar sectionai view through the driver wheel generally designated by the numeral I, although it is evident fthat it maybe applied to or used on any car -wheel 'whererits function may be desirable. The' wheel I has the usual flange 2, on the-inner side thereof and 2 has va peripheral tire designated generally at 3, which forms the periphery of the tread of the wheel. `When the wheel is locked by the brakes duringmovement'of the locomotive or car, a at .r place 4 is worn on the'tread or tire 3, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, which at place is filled with metal generally designated at 5, as by Welding in the Ymanner well understood in the art. This Welded metal Vmust be smoothed 01T to restore the initialcontour to the tire 3.

' The grinder adapted for this purpose, according to theembodiment of the invention illustrated includes a grinding wheel 6, such as an abrasive or emery wheel 'of the kind well-known in the art, connected with a power motor 1. The motor 1 may be of the characteradapted to utilize whatever' available source of power there may be, such as an electric motor, air motor, etc. Itis shown as connected directly with the grinding wheel 6, and should be constructed to operate the wheell at the desired speed.

The grinding wheel 6 and motor 'I are shown as supported by a slide bar 8. The slide bar 8 is mountedin a guideway 9 on the under surface of a supporting frame I0 that is elongated and adapted to extend transversely over the wheel. Provision is made for adjusting the slide bar 8 lengthwise of the frame in the guideway 9. In the form illustrated, this adjustment may be made by a screw I I in threaded engagement with a lug I2, attached to the slide bar 8. The screw II extends lengthwise of the frame I0 and is fixed with respect thereto, so that upon rotation of the screw, the slide bar 8 will be moved back or. forth in the guideway 9. A hand wheel I3 on the outer end of the screw II is adapted for turning the screw to adjust the position of the grinding wheel 6 with respect to the tire 3 of the car wheel.

At 'the opposite end of the frame I0, provision is made for guiding the movement of the grinder circumferentially of the car wheel. In the form shown. in Figs. 1 and 5, this guiding action is accomplished by a pair of V-wheels I4, in position to ride upon the periphery of the wheel flange 2, spacedA on opposite sides of the axis of the grinder wheel'B, as shown in Fig. 1. The V- wheels I4 are journaled at I5 in the lower ends of a sub-frame I6, which sub-frame I E is substantially of U-shape with the wheels I4 at the lower ends of the arms thereof, and braced by a bar I1, extending between said arms.

It is desirable to adjust the V-wheels I4 vertically relative tothe axis of the grinder wheel B not 'only tofaccommodatel car or locomotive-- wheels of different diameters, but also to insure of accurate grinding or resurfacing to the desired contour of the wheel. Consequently, the :frames I and I6 have intertted relation with vertical guides I8 along the inner sides of the -arms of the U-shaped sub-frame I6, which guide vthe sub-frame vertically relative to the main frame I0, These parts may be adjusted relatively and secured in adjusted positions with respect to each otherbyan adjusting screw .19, shown as threaded through the base of the sub-frame" I6 and having journaled connection at its inner end at 2o with the main frame lu. A hand wheel iii' on the outer end of the screw I9 may be used-"tof rotate the latter with respect to the frame I6.

` ,tially the entire width of the tread of the wheel Upon turning movement of the screw'fl; the@ sub-frame I 6 will be moved verticallyfrelative f.

to the main frame I0, to raise or' lower the V Wheels I4 with respect to the axis of thegrindihgf Wheel 6.

. Provision is made also 'for-guidingzthe' grinding; wheel S in accurate surfacingrelationwithn the periphery of thetire 3 that forms the'r tread. oi? the wheel. Such'guiding` relation is maintained-v by 'apair of rollers-22;..as' shown in Fig; 2, which' ride on the periphery of the tire on' opposite sides of the built-up metal 4, welded in theflatoff the wheel.' The positions ofthe'rollers 221' should be adjustedalso to accommodate' wheels of different diainetersofV the: built-up'metal to the. initialcontour of thevv Wheel. Accordingly, these rollers 22 are adjustably mounted Witlr respect to the grinding'wheel E.

In the lform illustrated,` this adjustable mount-.f ingjincluoles levers 23, `havingthe-rollers' `22 journaled in'Y the 'lower-ends thereof. The levers 23f are` pivotally mounted at 24,'.intermediate their ends on opposite' sides." of the main frame IIL` The: upper ends of' the levers 23 are shown in the form ofl yokes'25, having'journaledembraci ing relation with anut'ili:`r The nut 2li` is' thread ed upon a screw 2T; extending vertically from the mainframe I0, but anchored at itsV lower; end' to fsaid i frame by ak journaled' connectionrZ 81: therewith. The upperend'ofthe screvv'lis provided'with'a hand wheel 29 `for vrotating'the screw.

It will bee'videntthat upon turning movement of` the screw 21, the-nut 26,will`b'e-fed verticallyb relative theretotdraiseF or lowerthe upper lendsv f of' the levers 23.A This will cause'anopposite, movement of the lower ends of the levers, swing'- ing Y'the'. rollers 22" inv or outiwith*v respect' toi the" tread 3 of the-wheel, thereby'varyingthe positions of therollers with respect` to ther wheel,

and consequently varying the supportednposition off the frame I0; relative thereto?A Since'fthe'l grinding wheel 6 is` mounted on the frame I0;- this grinding wheel may be adjustedV to thel proper position with respectto the welded'metal on`the fiatof the wheelbyadjusting the'positions of thef'rollers 22, to insure ot" an accurate resurfacing o the periphery of the Wheel tothe initialcontour thereof.

In using the grinder toresurface the wheel-by grinding away-the built-up metal 5Y in theilat of theV Wheel, the V-wheels II!y andy rollers 22Ik should be adjusted 'according to the diameter of'- the-wheel 'being treated and :to :locate the periph ery4 of the grinding wheel 6,- in abrasive relation with' the outer portion-of the lbuilt-up metal inf the flat 4. Then, thefoperatormerelymoves the1 grinder back and forth ina circumferential rdirectionover the.V built-up metal; vWhilethe. grindE ingiwlf-ieel isoperatedbyftha motor l, gradually.

4or any point in the tread While the V-Wheels I4 'areguided on the fiange 2 of the wheel.

This adjustment is accomplished by the screw II.

which movesfthe slide bar 8, and the motor and q thegrindingawheels supported thereby, axially relative to the' frame I0, as will be evident from Fg While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment,1 itzis: recognized that variationsand-changes may be made theres in, without departing :from :the invention except as specified in the claims.

l. AY grinder fora-:car'wheel having-ay flange thereon, comprising kaniy elongated supporting frame,a combined motor and' grinding wheel unit, a slide'bar secured?- to 4the motor, and grinding wheel A,unit and extendingflengthwiseof the axis thereof,. an,A adjusting screw extendinglengthwise of the supporting? framel and parallel with the axis of the motor and grinding Wheel unit, means` formingt a threadedY connection betweenthe adjustingv screw and the motory unit for moving Vthe grindingv Wheel transverselyofthe car wheelr face, al sub-frameI mountedy on-the` supporting frameand bodily slidably mounted thereon for verticaly movementrelative thereto, means for securing. the sub-frame in diierent' adjusted positions relative to the supporting frame, andigrooved rollers journaled on the-sulirame positionion guiding, relationA with, the wheel ange.-

2. A grinder for acar wheel having a, flangeV thereon, comprising an: elongated supporting frame, a combinedvmotor and grinding .wheel unit, a-slide bar secured tofthemotor andgrind ing. wheel unit andextending. lengthwise of.Y the axis thereof,V an adjusting. screwA extending. lengthwiseY o fv the .supportingY frame, and par.: allel withthe axis ofV the motor` and' grinding wheeLunit, means. forming athreadedconf nection between` theV ladjusting. screw andl the motor unit forimoving the grindingwheeltransversely of thecar wheel face, levers extendingv upwardly on opposite. sides of thev supporting. frame, means pivotally mounting eachfoflthefle, vers .intermediate thel ends thereof! on` the vsupporting frame, a roller. journaled onthe lower. end of Veaclfleverv in positionv toride upon-.the periphery of the car Wheelgand means operatively connected with thezoppositeendiof each lever for` adjusting the. rollerlaterally relative-to the'grinding wheel.

3. A grinder for a carlWheelxhaving a tread surface .and a angethereon, comprising a frame having apower drivengrindingwheel depending therefrom, means pivotally connected to .-said frame to support said frame and. grinding wheel on, theitrea'd ofi said` carwheel,- selectivelyvr ad'-` justable meansfon-saidframe coacting withisadA last named means, to1V swing; said` iast named. means throughAA arcs in; avplaneperpendicular: to the;Vv axis'. of -saidr grinding Wheelnwhereby said.'

grinding wheel may be moved toward or away from said tread, and guide means mounted on said frame and adapted to engage said flange whereby said frame and said grinding wheel are guided as the grinding wheel is moved relative to the circumference of said car wheel tread.

4. A grinder for a car Wheel having a tread surface and a ange thereon, comprising a frame having a power driven grinding wheel depending therefrom, adjustable means for moving said grinding wheel laterally across said tread surface, means pivotally connected to said frame to support said frame and grinding wheel on the tread surface of said car wheel, selectively adjustable means on said frame coacting with said last named means to swing said last named means through arcs in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said grinding wheel whereby said grinding wheel may be moved toward or away from said tread, and guide means mounted on said frame and adapted to engage said flange whereby said frame and said grinding wheel are guided as the grinding wheel is moved relative to the circumference of said car wheel tread.

5. A grinder for a car wheel having a flange thereon, comprising an elongated supporting frame, a combined motor and grinding wheel unit, a slide bar secured to the motor and grinding wheel unit and extending lengthwise of the axis thereof, an adjusting screw extending lengthwise of the supporting frame and parallel with the axis of the motor and grinding wheel unit, means forming a threaded connection between the adjusting screw and the motor unit for moving the grinding wheel transversely of the car wheel face, levers extending upwardly on opposite sides of the supporting frame, means pivotally mounting each of the levers intermediate the ends thereof on the supporting frame, a roller journaled on the lower end of each lever in position to ride upon the periphery of the car wheel, means operatively connected with the opposite end of each lever for adjusting the roller laterally relative to the grinding wheel, a subframe mounted on the supporting frame and bodily slidably mounted thereon for vertical movement relative thereto, means for securing the sub-frame in different adjusted positions relative to the supporting frame, and grooved rollers journaled on the sub-frame in position for guiding relation with the wheel iiange.

6. A grinder for a car wheel having a tread surface and a iiange thereon, comprising a frame having a power driven grinding wheel depending therefrom, levers extending upwardly on opposite sides of the/frame, means pivotally mounting each of the levers intermediate the ends thereof on said frame, a roller journaled on the lower end of each lever in position to ride upon the periphery of the car wheel, means operatively connected with the opposite end of each lever for adjusting the rollers laterally relative to the grinding wheel, and guide means mounted on said frame adapted to engage said flange whereby said flange and said grinding wheel are guided as the grinding Wheel is moved relative to the circumference of said car wheel tread.

7. A grinder for a car wheel having a tread surface and a iiange thereon, comprising a frame having a power driven grinding Wheel depending therefrom, means pivotally connected to said frame to support said frame and grinding wheel on the tread surface of said car wheel, selectively adjustable means on said frame coacting with said last named means to swing said last named means through arcs in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said grinding wheel, whereby said grinding wheel may be moved toward or away from said tread surface, a sub-frame mounted on said rst named frame and bodily slidably mounted thereon for vertical movement relative thereto, means for securing the subframe in different adjusted positions relative to the supporting frame, `and grooved rollers journaled on the sub-frame in position for guiding relation with the wheel ange.

HARRY G. FOSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the i'lle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 596,336 Norton Dec. 28, 1897 851,702 Spietschka Apr. 30, 1907 1,050,915 Brawley Jan. 21, 1913 1,551,167 Orlow Aug. 25, 1925 1,627,074 Blair et al May 3, 1927 1,633,885 Castillo June 28, 1927 1,891,173 Perrazoli Dec. 13, 1932 1,988,138 Peck Jan. 15, 1935 2,507,052 Robinson May 9, 1950 2,534,969 Hauser Dec. 19, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 27,325 Great Britain Dec. 15, 1904 

